ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND NEUROPATHIC PAIN IN FIBROMYALGIA PATIENTS: A COHORT STUDY
Abstract: 1609
Authors: Perretta D et al.
Key content:
This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the specific influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the neuropathic component of pain in Fibromyalgia (FM) patients. 58 FM patients who met the ACR 2016 were enrolled and divided into two groups: 29 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and a matched cohort of 29 uninfected FM patients. Neuropathic pain was assessed using the PainDetect Questionnaire (PDQ) at baseline (t0) and after six months (t1). Prevalence, incidence, and worsening of neuropathic pain were evaluated in both groups. All patients were receiving treatment with SNRI antidepressants and Pregabalin, except for one patient who solely underwent physical therapy. At baseline, there were no significant differences in clinical or demographic characteristics between the infected and uninfected groups.
Patients who experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection had a significantly higher incidence of neuropathic pain at the six-month follow-up compared to the uninfected controls (46.55% vs. 31.03%, p=0.004, Relative Risk 5.5, 95% CI [1.5;21.1]).
Relevance:
This study indicates a potential link between infections and chronic pain in FM patients, as evidenced by the associations observed between SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased incidence and worsening of neuropathic pain. Further research is required to confirm these findings and explore potential interventions for FM patients.
